Llorente: I’ve worked for this

Fernando Llorente says he ‘worked’ and ‘dreamed’ for a debut season with Juventus in which he could ‘feel important’.

Fernando Llorente says he ‘worked’ and ‘dreamed’ for a debut season with Juventus in which he could ‘feel important’.

The 29-year-old faced early rumours of unrest after last summer’s Bosman switch from Athletic Bilbao, but has held a starting berth under Antonio Conte for most of the season and now has 15 League goals to his name.

“I worked for this, I dreamed of a great season, to feel important in the team,” Llorente has commented to RaiSport this week.

“I have done it and I must be very happy, we must all be, for what we are doing this year, with the possibility on Thursday of making it to a European final, it would be great to be able to win.

“Can I make Spain’s World Cup squad? Let’s see what happens.

“Not everything is decided, still many things can happen, the important thing is for us to be focused on the team, the match on Thursday.

“We want to finish the season perfectly and this will help. We have to stay calm and focused on our team.”

The Spaniard was talking after scoring a back-heel effort for the Old Lady in their 3-1 win at Sassuolo on Monday night.

“I think it was a difficult game, Sassuolo put everything on the pitch to win, so they put us in trouble with that first goal they managed.

“But this team never gives up, we were able to make the breakthrough in the game. This is an important victory, it’s amazing to get 93 points and we have much to be happy with.”

Llorente was asked if the team are close to the likes of Atletico Madrid, who find themselves top of La Liga and in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“I do not think we are far away. We will be relaxed, go slowly, not put too much pressure on the Champions League.

“What we are doing is something extraordinary and we must continue on this path.”